So, You Want to be a Mediator?

I find myself regularly asked “what do I need to do to become
a mediator?” While I do not pretend to have all of the answers, here are a few suggestions.

Identify Types of Mediation Practice That Interest You

First, it likely makes sense to identify the types of mediation
that attract you. The development path for each practice area is somewhat different.
Each practice area will have its own “culture,” “network” and “process” for
getting cases to mediate. Here are some of the types of mediation:

Having identified a few “niche” areas that you desire to practice in, the next thing to do is to read more about
those areas of practice on the web (information is freely and immediately available).
For example, Mediate.com offers more than 30 Sections at www.mediate.com/Sections and a drop down list of topics at the top of every page of Mediate.com. Also see our main content search at www.mediate.com/search.cfm.

Another great way of introducing yourself to mediation is
to find mediators who are already doing the type of mediation work that you
desire and doing it well. One way to find mediators is with the Mediate.com Directory. Take a couple of established mediators to lunch
and ask them about the “mediation culture” that they work in. What is the
network and system that creates cases? How do mediators get established in
their niche? Who decides which mediators are selected? Talk to established
mediators and see how they have become successful.

If possible, see if you can talk your way into observing
a mediation or two (this will require confidentiality agreements with clients).
Some community programs and internships build observation right into their
training package.

Learn and Network at Trainings and Conferences

You will want to get at least one, preferably more, 30-40
hour comprehensive mediation training. Trainings available here: Mediate.com/University. You really want an A-Z overview of
the world of mediation, as well as the opportunity to try this mediation thing
on for size (role play). The reality is that, if you are turned on to mediation,
this will just be the beginning of your training. You will want more, really
as much as you can get. There are many ways to mediate. Learning from a variety
of capable practitioners and trainers is smart. There is no single recipe
for success. In fact, one could argue that it is the mediator’s flexibility
that is most connected to success, rather than any magical formula.

When considering basic mediation training, be sure to do
some homework on the training requirements in the state(s) where you want
to practice. Training requirements vary from place to place and also change
over time. There may be a number of public sector panels in a state that may
have different training and experience requirements. You can research training
requirements for a state at Google. You might also consider contacting a practitioner
in your desired practice area (as described above) and pick their brain about
the various panels and requirements in your area.

The odds are that you are going to conclude that you need
a 30 or 40 hour basic mediation training to get started. A number of leading
trainings are listed at www.mediate.com/Market and also be sure to see the Mediate.com Calendar at www.mediate.com/Calendar.
Ask established mediators who they think the best trainers are.

Odds are that you will conclude that this mediation stuff
is really interesting. What is also true is that the standards (usually minimum
training and experience) for entering the field are relatively low, maybe
too low. As the barriers to entry into the field of mediation are relatively
low, this tends to mean that there are plenty of “wannabe” mediators. Those
that are successful in moving from wannabes to successful practicing mediators
tend to be those that do not need to rely on mediation income immediately.
It is perhaps best to think of your growth as a mediator in incremental terms,
most likely over 1-3 years. There is little reason to delay getting going,
and it is lots of fun along the way. What is also true is that “success” will
not come over night, but rather over time. Your ability to steadily grow your
mediation practice will be the key to your survival and success.

Ultimately, getting cases is a matter of reputation. You
want to build your reputation as a capable mediation practitioner by participating
in quality training, networking with colleagues, networking in your chosen
niche areas of practice and by steadily informing your marketplace of your
availability and of the quality of your work.

The Internet has dramatically changed how mediators spread
word of their existence and special qualities. Mediators need and are well
served by web sites to assist in the convenient distribution of comprehensive
information. While the qualification requirements for mediators vary, one
thing that is constant is that mediators have an ethical duty to disclose
to parties whatever qualifications you think you have.

Surely, clients and referral sources compare mediator web
sites in deciding what mediator to work with. It is important that you as
a mediator do well in that comparison. In fact, your web site will likely
become a metaphor for your developing practice. In the moment, you may not
have a whole lot to put up on your web site to convince disputants to choose
you to work with. That is, however, exactly your task: developing a presentation
(both physical and online) of yourself that has disputants and referral sources
saying: “This mediator looks good, let’s go with them . . .” It is when awareness
of you as a competent mediator and a ripe case intersect that magic (paying
work) happens.

So, it is a journey and there is much terrain to cover. While
not necessarily providing much of a detailed roadmap, I am thinking that perhaps
this article is helpful as a “fly by” providing orientation to the terrain
ahead. At this point, it is almost surely the case that the best thing you
can do is to pursue one or more comprehensive mediation training opportunities
where you can further the general guidance offered here. Go for it and I hope
to see you down the road and online!

Biography

Jim Melamed co-founded Mediate.com in 1996 and has served as CEO of Mediate.com ever since. Mediate.com received the American Bar Association's 2010 Institutional Problem Solver Award. Before Mediate.com, Jim founded The Mediation Center in Eugene, Oregon in 1983 and served as Executive Director of the Academy of Family Mediators (AFM) from 1987 to 1993. Jim was also the first President and Executive Director of the Oregon Mediation Association (1985-86). Jim's undergraduate degree is in in psychology from Stanford University and his law degree is from the University of Oregon.Jim has received the following awards: The Oregon Mediation Association's 2003 Award for Excellence; The Oregon State Bar's 2006 Sidney Lezak Award of Excellence; The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) 2007 John Haynes Distinguished Mediator Award; and The 2012 Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM) "Getting To Yes" Award.